Guardian reporter questioned by police over leak claims

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The Guardian’s special investigations correspondent Amelia Hill has been questioned under caution by police investigating leaks from the Met’s phone-hacking probe Operation Weeting.

The news comes almost three weeks after a Scotland Yard detective was arrested for allegedly leaking information to the newspaper. The 51-year-old detective was arrested the day after Hill broke the news that former News of the World showbiz editor James Desborough had been arrested as part of the Operation Weeting inquiry into phone-hacking.

The Guardian reportedly had news of Desborough’s arrest before it had taken place. It was the first news outlet to break news of the arrest and to name Desborough.

This was one of several exclusives that Hill has broken during the Met’s investigation into phone-hacking at the News of the World.

A Guardian News & Media spokesperson said: “We can confirm Amelia Hill has been questioned in connection with an investigation into alleged leaks.

‘On a broader point, journalists would no doubt be concerned if the police sought to criminalise conversations between off-record sources and reporters.”

GNM said declined to comment further due to the ongoing police investigation.